Dentists to help disadvantaged residents

By Valerie Puetz vpuetz@mdn.net

Published
7:30 am EDT, Thursday, June 6, 2013

Up to 2,000 uninsured and underinsured Michigan residents go without dental care because the state’s oral health safety net is in tatters. Public health dental clinics are overburdened, Medicaid dental reimbursement rates are underfunded and private practice dentists are struggling to meet the need by donating an average $62,000 in care per dental practice every year. To help people with unmet oral health needs, at least 1,100 dentists of the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) are working to organize the first “Mission of Mercy.” The charity event mobilizes volunteers and dental professionals from throughout the state - among them about 350 dentists and assistants, 100 hygienists, 650 volunteers and students.

The “Mission of Mercy” starts on Friday, June 7, at 6 a.m. and continues until Saturday, June 8. It takes place at the Ryder Center, Saginaw Valley State University.

“It is free and there is no registration required but I would recommend people who are in need to come early, because there will be some long lines. We are expecting about 2,000 people to be treated over the course of two days,” said Ben Tierney of the Midland Area Community Foundation.

Depending on the need, services may include cleanings, fillings, tooth removal (extractions), a limited number of root canals and treatment partials to replace front teeth. It is not possible to provide caps, crowns, partial dentures, complete dentures, implants, bridges or orthodontics. Patients will be seen starting at 6:15 a.m. until the clinic has reached capacity both days. Those in pain and with infections will be top priority.